Method of and apparatus for treating fruit



April 23, 1940. M, EWALD v 1 2,197,794

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING FRUIT Original Filed March 23, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I l l l v n April 23, 1940. M EWALD l 2,197,794

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING FRUIT Original Filed March 23. 1954 2vSheets`Sheet 2 :a/V af: Wer/7 vare/af' Patented Ape. 23,1940

METHOD or AND ArARATUs Fon 'rrmrlrrmeFmn'rI u Mark Ewald, lympia, Wash., assigjnor toSpecial "Equipment Company, Portland, 0reg.,a cor-wf vporationfof OregonV 'i Appliee-ue'n Magen, 23, 1934, serial No. 716,988 Renewed February 6,' 1939 continuation inf-part ofthe cou-pending )applicationvof the applicanagMark Ewald, filed January 2o, 1930ser1a1vNumber 421,954, and entitled Slicer and peeler, now Patent 1,989,090 issued January 29, 1 935. f f 1 For its objects, the present `device includes: A.

The provision of novel means for severing- `the seed eontannng section ef a naif fruit.

The provision ofan automatic machine for automatically and intermittently moving fruit bholders, each carrying a half fruit tov a pitting o r coring stationj 'wherein pittingor coring lmechanismis automatically positioned onto the face of kthe fruit at the pit orcore thereof yandlwhereiri means is subsequently actuated for-causing the pitting and coring means, rpreferably yin the form 'i of blade-like elements, segmentsof shells with substantially{semi-circular 'cuttingedges to move in unison ,tov cut through the flesh 4o :ffthe fruit renewing substantially eieseiythe ouuine ef the core or pitof the fruit and subsequently vto move away fromthe fruit cups whereby toy permit rsuc-,-

ceeding fruit cups to be broughtl to thecoring or pitting, station in a complete 4 synchronized cyclical movement. v u

The provision of an automatic pitting or coring mechanism for an automatic fruit treating machine wherein a plurality of pitting or-coring elements are automatically moved contiguous or adjacent the out face of the fruit and directly over the core or pit area of the fruit and wherein pitting and coring movement is imparted to the opposed scoop-likeV members whereby -to cut through u u the flesh of the fruit around and under the pit or .core to substantially enclose the pit `or the coreA sojthatuponthe completion of the pitting or I coring operation the `pit or core will be enclosed and ,and detached vand separated from the. fruit proper. y 9 1 l v u yThe provision of` a cutting and `coring apparaytus wherein opposed scoop-like vcoring orpitting elements are adapted to be presented to the cut are adapted thereafter to `move arcuately about a centerA substantially closeto the center ofthe core or the pitso asl to form a substantial- ,ly shallow pittingwor coring cut to remove the Vcore or pit and a'minimum amount of the flesh ofy 'the fruitI therewith and whereby .also preferably to encompass the core or` pitto remove it from the` fruit.

, Theprovis'ion lof an automatic coring or pitting device comprising'one vor ymore fruitholders am@ e; freie e hef .fra warmest' fee to'iorina partial coring or pitting operation leavj integrally unitedto the core or pit and wherein Y thisfpartial coring or pitting operation isr` followe'df by a completion of the coring or pitting operation under circumstances wherein the body of the half fruit has a force exerted on it downv,15 wardly away from the core or pit which isrevtained in the-pitting cutters whereby during the lfcompletior'i of the coring' or pitting cup and due tothe downward pressure of 4the fruit atthe uncut fportion, the cutters will move more Closely `20 to the exact marginal zone ofthe core or pit whereby to make a` cleaner cut and whereby the minimum of fruit flesh is out with the core or thepit. v Y

The provision of an improved process for cor. `25 ing or pittingv thel fruit whereinsimultaneously yapproaching cuts are made in theA flesh of the fruitbeginning at the cut face of the fruit at 'the juncture of the core or pit and arcuately following the border line o1" the core or pit and wherein l3p during` theV approaching cutting movements, the

body of 'the fruit is subjected to a downward stress whichcaus'es a similar; stress upon the uncut yzoneof the fruit in the path of the approaching lines of cut whereby to cause the cutting action ,35

more closely to follow the exact outline of the core or pit of the fruit.

` :A new and novel coring device operable tofcon- Vey fruit and later discharge it upon a moving vconveyorjor elsewhere pursuant to removing `the 40 core therefrom'. .y y y. ,v y Theprjovision ofan unique coring device of the clam shell type wherein'scoops are adapted, first,

face of the fruit -attne marginof thevpit 'or cere l teI engage allalffruit adjacent its @Ore and partly sever yt'hecore therefrom, next, to conduct the ,45 fruit t'oa desired position and lastly, to complet-e vcompanyingtwo sheets of drawings, hereby made 'ya'.partof this application, and in'which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of affrui't treating' machine illustrating one of the uprights (55 ing anjinte'gral portion of the 4esh` of the'fruit V 'ist ,rocate.

Means (not shown) are provided forintermitthereof and the present seed severing device, the latter being in side elevation and at onestage of its operation;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrat-` ing more of the machine in which the device is used and shows the device in lanother stage of operation; and

Figure 3 is an elevation of the present device, the view being in the direction indicated by ythe arrows 3 3 of Figure l.

Like reference characters are used in the drawn The machine used to illustrate the present in# vention comprises a frame of four uprightangle pieces equally spaced from one another about the four corners of a square. Only two of such uprights are shown in th'e'present drawing, those two uprights being disposed at one sidel of the frame and being identied by the reference charactersxR and d3. The upright 42 is shown in Figures land 2. In Figure 3, both of the uprights are illustrated.

Parts of the present deviceserve' to holdthe upper 'ends 'of the frame members d2 and 43 in a spaced relation. Side bars and cross-tie members, not important inthe present disclosure, and rof which but one (47) is shown, are employed for bracingth'e lower ends of frame members t2 andi and for holding several upright members' in rigid assembly. i

Mounted centrally of the several frame members is a `turret 63 rotatable on a vertical axis.y Four pairs of arms 64 radiate outwardly and horizontally from the axis of rotation of the turret or spider 63. Within the end Aof each of the arms 6d isa bearing member 55 in which a stem "63 reciprocates'vertically. Upon each ofthe recipr'ocable stems is mounted fruit holding means herein specifically shown as a fruit holding cup 66 comprising relatively movable segments 1i.' Each l of the cu'p segments TI is -pivotally supported upon a vpin 8d., A spring 8S yieldingly supports the seg'- 'ment so that the segment may be resiliently de'- pre'ssed while peel is being cut from a' 'fruit con'- tained in the cup. The exact operation' 'of the 'relatively movable parts of the fruit receptacle and their cooperation with the peeling mecha- :nism is recited in the application of which thisjis a continuation in part. y,

TheI fruit c'ups as shown are reciprocab'ly dis'- posed within the machine upon the'stem's 68. Such stems and cups remain at the lowermost of their reciprocable limits during cooperation with the present device. The position of the cups at the time the present device is operative determines the proper plane of the cups.` The device is equally operative with cups that do not reciptently rotating the vspider or turret E3y to v,successively carry'each pair of the fruit cups' to the station at which the present means for removing .the seed containing section is disposed, that is,'to

carry each pair of thel fruit cupsto ra position Vbetweer'i the uprights l2 and 3 where they remain for an interval While the seed removing device performs its operations upon thefruit.

Upon veach of the legs 42 and 43 is'ia VU-shape'd Iustrated in each of the Figures 1, 2 and 3. 'Ihe `or core may-be discharged free l member or two-legged bracketlll, which is' il-v j brackets are secured in position by bolts or thel like. Each ybracket mi has legs 402 yand 403 which provide a pivot or bearing for apparatus,

`to be described. One bracket is aright-hand member, andthe other is a lefthand member,

and. the two are complementa] `and opposed.v`

The seed removing apparatusis disposed interf mediate such opposed complemental brackets..

The seed removing rneans specifically comprises a pair of cutting members operating rin unison. These pairedinstruments are complemental to the paired cups 86.' -Each cutter forms a portion of la hollow conoid providing a curved wall extension arranged to at least partially enclosethe core orpit during the cutting operation, and has a lower cutting'iedge substantially conforming to the cross section of the seed section' of thefhalf fruit to be cut. v

r'Ilrie `seed cutting members have a cycle of movements, one into the machine, and the other 'outwardly therefrom. The normal or rest posi` tion of the cutters is substantially that shown in Figure 2," except that the seed cuttersor scoops 522 normallyare disposedat a'slightlyhigher. elevation toinsure that they will be clear of fthe paired fruit cups 66 as such cups are rotated into position therebeneatl'n* t will be noted that each of they cutting members for carrying Aout -the'pitting or cori'ng operation comprises a substantially hollow portion or segment of a sphere which segments are pivotally mounted at the aXis 423 which isl located y substantially directly over and relatively close to `the center ofthe half pit or half core of the half fruit; it will also be noted that in the initial` or open position of these cutters they are,` disposed on opposite sides of the pit or core adjacent the marginal portions of the pitl or core and preferably slightly penetrate into` the flesh of the fruit in such position. lIn this position, as shown,

the arcuate or cutting edges of the opposed-cut- -ters form a substantially closed, curved plane following ingeneral the curved plane outlinel of the half pit or half core that lies on the Yplanecut surface of the half fruit. When these opposed cutters are subsequently completely brought together, the varcuate cutting edges willmeet whereby completely to sever the pit orv core from the flesh -andwhereby completely tounderlie and to form a substantial cup or container 'for the pit or rcore by which the pit or core. may 'be isolated from the pitted or cored fruit and whereby thepit l from the pitted or cored fruit.r f v y By forming each of thebutters with a cutting? edge which is substantially semi-spherical' in its bottom contour, and by rotating these` cutters in unisonabout a common center, which center is disposed relatively close to the central portion Y' of the half pit or half core of thehalf fruityas' the cuttersmove in unison from open position .i to completely closed position these cutters will I v encompass and will cut a relatively vshallowysubstantiallycup-shaped groove,v from the facepf'` the fruit, which groove substantially corresponds with the area of the half pit `or half core of the half fruit.' Due to'the location of thispivotal mounting and the construction ofthe cutters `during `tlfreirfpitting or coring movement, they reflesh of i the fruit *V'extendedpe'nds vof cranks '405 is a" shaft 406. For vactuating the shafts 4116,

there 'is an' arm "1 los toy a' cam follower' las;

4 |0.- Connected to i i i2,19'2','?94y Y l. wl'int'egral with one' ofcr'anks 405.1 Attached to the arm 401 ist-a llink-408, which is connected at pivot The camV follower |85 is *reciprocated verticallyv f by a ca m' (not showm-whichl isfuseu1also for the operation -ofpartsA of the machine other than7 the-seed removing device. f

Disposed'in -each the kshafts 4|0 are links 4I I. Intermediate the ends of thev links -4I l `is `a shaft 4|2 which shaft normallyloperateswith its-axis 'above the axis ofthe shaft 40B andfinzsubstan- -tially`the sameiperpendicular plane. `Around the shaft4-406 and intermediate the j cutter supportsis a block 4|3.y Said block 4|3 rides in a U-shaped end 4|4 of a guide member 44|5 which fioats freely on thefshaft4I2. A piece '4|4a,l is suitably attached across-the bifurcated v ends ofthe guide member 4I5 tofabut. the bottom of `block4l3 andtherebylimit the separation of ,1 shaft 406 and 4|2 caused by. a Acompressionspring 4I4bl, which Aexerts a force between the `upper` facewof the vblock 4113 andtheceilingiofan'inverted recess 4|4cfin the'guide'member 4|5;

` pending fromeach end ofv the block 4 I3 iis a housf`yr ingl4l6labout which the'seed removing mechaeach member 4| 8 riding freely Projecting from the Zand riding freely thereon are brackets 4|1 which have projecting -bosses4|8 in whicharevertical square shafts 4I9 adjustably.l secured by meansof set screws 4|9a.

lThe rear,portions of the members `4|6 includes .sleeves420through which the shafts 4 I 9 mayslid- :ingly bemoved.

f Uponmeach side of the members 416, andsecured thereto by machine screws or votherwise are two" brackets 42|. Between the brackets 42| and pivotallysecured thereto are complementalopposed substantially hemisphericaly scoops or. cutters 422, the. point 'offpivot being indicated by the nux the' back of eachhofthe concaved cutters .or'fscoops' 422 isa vboss 424 which provides a-'sup- 4portlforta link `425, which is secured tothe .shaft .4|9. Squared' shaft 4|9 being movable'relatively tov the housing members 422 to open.

.Upon one'of `the links4|| a bracket 430 car'- vrying a roller, bearing 43|. Complemental there'- toris a peripheral 'cam432.which'cam` 432 is secured to the link A445 at the right of the device ,(Figure 3) This camand'roller govern the distance 'between the shafts 40,6.and 4I2 vduring the Aoutward thrust of said shafts 406 before the point of highest elevation incident to such thrustis obtained by said'shafts 40,6; Because of the inertia of the shaft 4|2 and the parts depending there- :from there'isla tendencyof said shafts 'atthis 'qcross section.` In association with` such pin is a v hook 434, which hook is mounted upon the up- 'per end of a`;rod6|9. A-spring 6190, pressing between a guide bracket 6 Bhattached yto the frame member 43 and the base of the hook member 434 n constantly urges the hook androd 6|9`upwardly. During thegoperation of the devicea cam (not shown), and .whichvserves to operate other parts off. the device' (not shownLV-serves jointly with of bracket legs"403"is aishaft 4|6, its movement''downwardly' fthrough ther sleeve portion .420 thereofcausesthe' `conca'ved cutters 422 to approach one anotherrto .afclosed.position,- while .movement in the oppol, 'site' direction of the shaft-M9 vlwill cause such the spring 6|9a to move the. rod ||9l and the `hook upwardly and downwardly intimed relation to. thelmovement ofthe coring device'inwardly l and., outwardly of-:the frame of themachine.

The cycle-of operations of theI seed excising vmeans is substantially asl follows., While a pair off the fruit cups. 66 are being moved to the seed removing` station between rthe frame. vrmembers 42 and 43 where theyv remain ashortv period, the *seed cutting means is being moved inwardly of "the machine incidental to an upward movement 4of the vrod 408 whereby to place .the cutting meml,

bers 42,2 over the half fruit 235 inthe respective vcups with which the vcutting members are to zccoperate. The rod 408 finishes its upward movement after the cups 66 havev come to rest at the seed excising station rto'carry vthe lower sharpened edges ofthe cutters, which are vthen 'open in some such manner as is illustrated in Fig- -ure 2, against the flatface of the fruit about the seed section thereof; About thetime the opened rod 6 9 and hook 434by means of the cam hereinabove mentionedas not being shown in the drawing; The downward movement of the hook 434 is such -as tocause itv toengage the square pin 433,y

thus drawing the shaft 4|2 closer to shaft 406 against `thexurge of the spring 414D. Such downward movement of the hook 434 and hence of the shaft 4|2 causes the cutters 422 to pivot at 423 toward a closed position, thepmovement being to t partly closevthe cutters whereby tol/cause them ltoicut into the face of the fruit Atoacoluire a firm` lgrasp thereof.r .The cutters 'are so arranged that the downward-movement thereof kisgacross the cords or stringsfextending axially, of the fruit;

,In this manner .the cutterst422 are made to partly surround the seed material of the fruit.

A retrogressivemovementis then imparted to the rod: BIB and the hook 434. A like movement `is impartedto the rod 408 to cause the `lever `405 v,to turn in a vclockwise direction 2(Figures 1 and 2);. As the two shafts 406 and 4|2 are moved arcuately upwardly and koutwardly of the machine, the pin 433 isy drawn out from 'under the V hook 434 so that if it were not for lthe fact that the upward movement of the` seed'cutting del vice is one of acceleration, the spring 4|4b would cause the two shafts, 40,6v and 4|2 to separate to draw the square shaft 4|9 upwardly through 'the sleeves 142,0 to loosen the grip ofthe concaved cutters 422 upon'the half fruit.v

It will be noted that as the rod 408`is ymoved downwardly at a uniform rate of speed and as the arm 401 and the rod 408 near the alined position as shown'in Figure l, the angular velocity of thel 1 arms 401 and ,405. about the axis in the shaft 404 Ais increased." Hence, the rate at which the parts vof the device carried upon the shaft 4|2 are elevated is increased, the inertia of "those partsv being ksufdcient to overcome the force ofv the spring 4|4b'. urging "them upwardly with respect to the shaft 406. Thatis, the spring 4 |41)` is comparatively weak so that it is but slightly stronger than is necessary to maintain the shafts 406 and -4I2 in a spaced apart relation against the force of gravity whentheparts of the. device are stationary. l 'L During. the upward varcuate movement ofthe `seed-'cutting devicethe roller v43| is brought'to bear; upon thecurved edge of the cam432.. .The ,g5

v of the machine.

the zenith of their arcuate outward movement, i the roller` 513i passes over the shoulder @32a to permit the shaft tilt Ato be moved toward the shaft di?. rThis movement causes the cutters tocomplete their cutfabout the seed of the fruit. inasmuch asfthe fruit-235 is `moving outwardly of the machine at the time the cutabout the core isy completed. and the fruit released, the fruit is catapulted from the machine.

conveyorlorsuitable container or a liquid trough may be disposed in 'the path of Vthe catapulted` fruit.v

It will be noted that the pitting and coringv cutters will have cut partially through the ilesh of the half 4fruit and in so doing will pass under and around the underside of the pit or core .so

that the opposed cutting edges will substantially underlie the pit-or core, leaving therebetween an uncut section of the. fruit which Vjoins the pit or core. When the head :M6 moves upward, these pitting or coring cutters will be carried upwardly and held stationary in their partially coring or pitting position. This will lift the half fruit out of thel cup and suspend it solely by the relatively narrow, uncut,.central section of the fruit, the two cutters rmly holding the core or pit within them. Due to the weight of the fruit in such Y suspended position, the body of the fruit will tend Iet to pull downwardlyv on the uncut portion along its entire extent where it is integral withr the pit or core whereby in the subsequent cutting or pitting operation when the" opposed cutters are operated to come together to complete the cutting or pitting operation the flesh will be pulled downwardly so that the cutters will more closely follow the marginal lines of the pit or core and a cleaner cut will be *,made. mum of ilesh'with the pit or core.

In short, the weight of the fruit will tend to pull downwardly on the uncut Zone that is joined with the core or pit which downward movement of the ilesh of the fruit will permit the cutingedges of the cutter more closely to approach the true core or pit of the fruit and thus a more e'ective cutting or pitting action will be provided.

rPhe remainder of the outward arcuate movement of the cutting device is downwardly so that the inertia heretofore caused by the parts of the device carried upon the shaftl il l 2 no longer exists 4 to prevent the two shafts; dus and M2 being sep.-

arated by the spring di 4b. Incidental to the separation of the shafts 86,6 and M2 while outwardly of the machine, the cutters1l22are'opened to allow the fruit seed to drop therefrom. Thereafter therod vd68 ceases its downward movement and subsequently it'is moved upwardly at the beginning of a cycle of operation ofthe device similar tothat just described. While the cutting means is being moved inwardly of the machine -because of the upward movement of the rod lliL'the spider 63f-is-beinggiven arotative nrrovement to'conduct the cups from'the seedA A moving `an eilicient seed excising device. veyoror'v discharge means to lift the halved-'body .30

The `cut will talrevthe mini- 'said lifterhas cleared-said cup.r

`2,197,794 d l excisin'g station and to place-a dilerent pairof such cups 4at' the station', the Vsucceeding pair of cups beingloaded with fruit from` which the seed has not been cut. M K- lt ywill be noted bylexamin'ationiof the figures ,7,75

lof the drawings that the pivotal pdr-dt 423 ofthe substantially scoop-shaped cutters 622 is located abovek thevcutface `of the fruit to'be pitted or .cored a predetermined distance which is selected vso that the cuttersmake aV substantially shallow lo scoop-shaped opening in the face ofthe fruit re- Y moving just suficient of the-flesh of the fruit to completely excise the pit or the c ore kof the fruit.

Itwill alsobe notedv thatby'positioning the cutting edges of the scoops transversel'7 of the lonv lj5 gitudinal axis ofthe fruit, the cutting edges will ,',rst cut across -the cords 4or strings extending 4axially of the fruit` and will then move simultaneously through the flesh of the fruitcloselyadjacent `the border orfmarginal lineof the core'or izo pit. It will be further noted that the depth of the,y cut in the (fruit `is substantiallyggequal toonehaliof the diameter oithe cuttersand that this pivotal point -Q23 is positioned during thel cut, -suchlthat the pivotal point is positionedabove the 'out fface of the disc :a distance substantially equal to the radius of the cutters;

vThis device, as is readily understood,.'provides It also is' a conof theiruit from the machine. `The direction of .discharge is longitudinally of the axis of the fruit and fruit holding cup. s

` what is Claimdasznewxand is. desired to 'be'.

secured by Letters Patent of the UnitedfStates'is': 1.y Fruit treating Iapparatus comprising a cup to'hold fruit, va member traveling toward said cup and away therefrom, curing scoops on said member, means lfor :openingsaid scoops zwhen'. said 'scoops are away'from said cup, means-for advancai() ing said'fs'coops 4toward'one another when Asaid member has approached said cup, means rfor advancing saidscoopsl to `contacting position: after `said member hasfmov'd` away from Said cup, and "meansifor spreadingrsaid vscoops when saidrnem- F45 Aber is 1 intermediate# said rst and said second named positions.

2. Afruit*treatingiapparatus comprising a for fruit,` amembe'r movable toward and'faway from said cup, means ifor causing-said'member'flO to :travel -towardland away from saidcup, scoops on said member, and means for advancing said scoops' toward one another. a limited distance -when said member is, in proximity -tosaid culi Imoving said scoop-spinto contact with one anotherfifV 'when said member is away `from said cup,"and v separating 'said scoops before again, reaching l'proximitv to said cup.` l

3. A coring device fiori fruit, comprising a cup, a lifter, opposed movable scoops in said lifter, means for moving said lifter,l'means for reg-ulating the vspaced relation, .of said scoops, fand .means for causing said regulating means to'fpart- :ly close said scoops when' said lifter registers-,withv said cup and to completelyclose said scoopsjafter I '4.ln fruit treatingfmechanism, aV boom, means Yfor angularly and linearly moving said boom along a fixed path, a'frruit. receptacle at one 'end'v of such path,A a' curing device'onVl-'said boomjcomi70 prisingopposed `.members insertable into a fruit .insaid receptacle, andmeans .foractuatingsaidfl Sopposed members and saidboomuto-grip-suchff yfruit and tofliitl-.sucnfruit awayfrom saidjrecepg Ataolefarwlito subsequently further actuate said -op- 75.

posed members to core such fruit during movement ofsaid boom away from said rrec'eptacleto the other end of such path.

5. In' fruit treatingapparatus, a support, corl-ing bladesupon said support, a fruit receptacle,

meansffor,movingsaid' support linearly and angularlytoward and awayffrom.- said receptacle,

`and means for spreading said blades as said support' approaches said-receptacle;actuating saidv blades to makea partial closing movement `coing A'cidentallywith the reversal of the mo'vement'of .said support, and further actuating said blade vto make a' complete 'closing movement after the initial retraction ofsaid support fromsaid receptacle.v u v6'.1ruit coring means comprising al travelling member, `scoops on said movable member and vhaving cutting edges atk theirl outer peripheries,v

means for moving said travellingmember overa predetermined path from 'a first 'station to a secvondfstation" andback agaim means operable to spread,'said-.scoops as said` member moves from' the first station to theA second 'co/open said scoops for entr'yinto' fruit about'the core thereof, means to partiallyclosle [said scoops fat the second station to' 'grip the fruit that itmay be lifted by the travelling frnember,r vand `means to completely close `th'e"'sco`ops to separateA the core from7 the'y fruit -as saidftravellinglmember is moved back 'to the scoops uponfthecore lportion yof the fruit at said second extreme position that the fruit may be elevated by said scoops, `and means to finally completely'close saidvs'coo'psl while said member is v lbetween the secondextreme position and the4 first` `extreme position to free the core from the fruit.v`

member. l f

8. A machine forvcoring'or pitting half fruit comprisingmeans forming a fruit holder adapted to'hold a half fruitfwith its cut'facefcarrying the pit or core.uppermost,A means'f'for ymoving said fruit holders to a pitting orcoring station, a pair of cutters j mounted at -said station, means for movingpsaid cuttersrelativ'ely to the fruit to poand yto discharge thefruit from the travelling s ition said'cutterson'opposite sides of afdesireclv Zone on'thecutfface of the'ffruit',earch of said cutters Icomprising val portion ofahollow sphere f having'a,substantially semi-,circular lower cut.

ting edge, meansfor movingsaid'cutters tocauuse them partly tocutthrough the flesh `of the fruit in a predetermined arcuatepath relatively to the central zone' Vofthe fieshtobe cut`,1s'aid arcuate `path having Aa central "axis v'disposed relatively close to theface of thefruit at the central por-r tion of saidzon'e to .be cut, and means` for mov mentarily arresting said cutting action n leaving` an integral uncut portion ofthe esh of the fruit integrallyjoining the area or Zone to .be out, and means for thereafter completing the arcuate i movement ofthe said" cutters to bring the same together Whilecausing a downward movementkk o'f thebo'dy ofllthe fruit thereby depressing the uncut" portion while the cutters' vare passing therethrough; I t l f f 9. In a device for treating fruit the combination of means forming a fruit holder adapted to receive a half fruit with its cut face exposed, a pair of cutters eachl comprising a portion of a hollowcon'oid andl each having a cutting edge substantially conforming to the cross section of the seed-lcontaining section of the halfl fruit, means i for positioning said cutters on opposite sides of the cut face of the fruit relative to the `seed-containing section of vsaiol fruit,l means'for moving said cutters from such position in arcuate paths `varound the borderlines of said seed-containing sectionV to a position such that said'r cutting edges of said cutters lmeet and means operable during a predetermined 'portion' of the approaching movement of'said lcutters for producing 'a recessive' movement relatively between the` flesh vof lthe fruit which is yet uncut and lies in' thevpath [of movement of saidcutters and said cutters in a direction substantially transversely to said path whereby'to cause said cutters to make a shallower cut. n u 10. lThe method of cutting a half `fruit which comprises forming simultaneous cuts beginning at the face of the half fruit and cutting through ythe flesh of the fruitand along theborder of` the core or 'pit of the-fruit in approaching directions until said lines of cut meet'while producing to the completionof the cutting wherebyto cause vafreceding movement upon the uncut zonel of fruit lying between the approaching lines ofv cut to'pro'ducea 'more'shallow cut in the fruit.

y11. The methodfof cutting or pitting a half fruit which comprises forming simultaneous cuts in the iie'sh of the .fruit at the face'of the fruit on opposite sidesoffthe core or the pita'ndfmoving v arcuately aroundv and beneath the ycoreor pit of 'the fruit `in approaching directions, holding `stationary-the core `or pit of the fruit while completing the lines of cut beneath the fruit awhile sirnultane'ously?causingv the Weight of the vfruit to pull downwardlyupon the unsevered "section `of the fruit integrally adjoining the core or pit whereby'. tei-"cause` the cutters to take a shallower cut andmore closely follow the coreor'pitv ofthe 12.l An automatic machine for coring vor pitting fruit comprising means for holding'a half fruit lWith'its cut face exposed carrying the'pit or core, means for,` moving the fruit holder toI apitting a recedingstress upon-the body ofi-the fruit prior v 'y whereby automatically to cause said lines of cut Vor' corin'g station with the longitudinal `axis of the half fruit'extending in a predetermined direction, means providing a pair of cutters each having-a. curved cutting edge substantially conforming tothe cross section ofthe vpit or core ofthe'fruit, means for positioning the cutters into contact with the flesh ofthe fruit, atthe cut `falce thereof and 'with the cutting edges lying in "opposed relation. substantially at the margin of the pit or'core ofthe fruit andtransversely vof the lLongitudinal axis of the fruit, means for arcuately moving the cutters toward each other whereby to .cause them to pivotl abouti an axis extending transversely of the ylongitudinalvaxis ofthe 'fruit' to cause said cutters Ato sever the pit or core from'the fruit, and means for exerting a force on *the esh of the fruit in a direction to cause relative movement away froml the pit or' core of the fruit during the severance of the iieshof the fruit by said cutter.

41,3.' In Aa device for treating fruit the combination of means forming a fruit holder'adapted to receive a half fruit with its out face outermost, a pair of cutters each havinga curved cutting edge corresponding in curvature to the marginal portion 'of the seed containing section desired to be cut and each having a curved wall extending outwardly from the cutting edge to provide a walled portion for enclosing a portion of the seed containing section when the latter is cut, means ior positioning said cutters relatively close to the cut face of the half fruitand on opposite sides of the cut face of the fruit relative tothe seed containing section to be cut, means for' holding said cutters in said position while moving said'cutters arcuate paths around the border lines of said section to a position such that said cutting edges of said cutters meet and such that the walled portion partially encloses the seedcontaining section whereby lto hold the same from displacement during the cutting operation, and means operable during a predetermined portion of -the approaching movement of said cutters for producing a recessive movementbetween the seed-containing section and the flesh of the fruit which is yet uncut and lies in the path of movement of said cutters whereby to cause said cutters to make a shallower` cut` 14. In a device vfor treating half fruit the combination of 'means forming a Vfruit holder adapted to receive a half fruit with its cut face exposed, complementary cutting means each comprising` `av cutting edge of curved outline conforming to the marginal portion of the seed `containing section desired Vtube cut, means for positioning saidv cutters on opposite sides ofthe out, face of the half fruit relative to the seed containing section to be cut, -means for moving said cuttersy from said position in arcuate pathsl around the border lines of said'seed containing section to be cut to a position such that said 'cutting edges of said cutters meet, means operable during a predetermined portion of the approaching movement ofk said cutters for producing a force -uponthe flesh of theAfr'uit which is yet uncut and lies in the path of movement of said cutters, in a direction relatively away from the seed containing section,

said cutters holding said seed containing section against ymovement in said direction `during said predetermined portion of the approaching movement of said cutters.

15. In an'auto'matic machine for coringfvor pitting` fruit, the combination of means forming a fruitholder adapted'to receive half 'fruit with the cut face uppermost, means for moving said fruit holder carrying such half.` fruit to a pitting ly moving said cutters about an axis disposed.

centrally of and' closely adjacent the central por-` tion of the core or pit of the yhalf fruit whereby to cause said cutters to approach and substantially come together beneath the core or pit of the fruit to sever the same in a relatively shallow cut from the half fruit, and means for causing the cored or pitted fruit, and the coring or pitting means Y.to'mov'e away from one anotherrelatively, said coring or `pitting 'mechanism carrying `the core or pit of thefruit from the fruit. y

16. Iny an automatic coring or pitting device for half fruit, the combinationjofmeans-forming a succession of fruit holders eachk adapted to re-` ceive ay half fruit with its cut face uppermost, means for moving said fruit holders in successiony to a corng nor pitting station, means. comprising a pair of opposed cutters "each comprisinga curved pit or core enclosing wall portion and each having a lower-cutting edge `curved sub-v stantially to conform to the pitor core of .the

half fruit, means for positioningisaid cuttersin.VA

opposed relation at the face of the-fruit on'opjposite sides of the corel or the pit, means `for, causing said cuttersto cut 'arcuatel-y throughy the flesh of the fruit and to approach each otherA beneath the core or pit of the fruit while-severing the same, means foro-raising said cutters :carryingl the pit or core and the fruit attached there-.kl to by an uncut portion, means for laterally shift-` ing the cutters,-means for completing the cuttingl operation of said cutters, means forprojecting` the cored or pitted -fruit into a conveyoriandifor projecting the pit'orcore into a second 'conveyor'.

17. In a device for treating fruit thecombina'- to hold a half fruit with" its cut face outermost',

means providing a cutting stationat which the seedcontaining portion of the'halgfnfruitgis vcut therefrom, means for intermittently advancing each fruit holding means on the-turret toward and from saidstation, a pair of cutters disposed .at said station, means f,orgloodilymoving saidicuting said cutters arcuately to cut through t-he esh'` of the half fruit to sever lthefaseed containing section, said cutters each being provided .witha curved extension wall forming a meansfor; par- "tion of an intermittently operable turretprovided with a plurality of hold-ing devices each adapted l 30 Y Lals tially enclosing and holding the'seedxcontaining completing the lines of cut beneath thel fruit y while simultaneously causing a force to be exerted dit" the approaching lines of cut in a Edirection away-` upon the uncut flesh of the rruitlying between from the pit or core whereby to cause 'a recessive section when cut, andmeans to discharge thel movement upon the uncut flesh'offthe fruit andr thereby cause the cutters to take a shallowe'r cut and more closely follow the core or -pit4 of the 19. In a device for treating fruit thecombinaf tion of means forming a` fruit holder adapted to receive a half fruit withits out V face uppermost, a pair of cutters each having a"curve'd'kc'uttiz-igl edge corresponding in curvature to the marginal portion of the seed containingsectiondesired to be cut yand eacli having a curved Wall kextending outwardly from the cutting edgeto 'proviclefaf f walled portionl for enclosing a portion of`A the4` seed` partially encloses the seed Vcontaining section ybination of means forming a holder adapted to containing section when thellatter isfcut, means for positioning said cuttersi'at la predetermined distance fromv the cut facefofi'the halff fruit andon opposite sidesof the cut face ofthe fruit rela-" tive to thefseed containing section to be cut, means foi-'holding `said cutters in said position while moving saidy cutters/iniarcuate paths'beneath and around the border lines of said section to a'position such that 'saidcutting edges of said cutters meet and `such that the walledportion whereby to Ahold .the same from displacement dur- `ing the cutting operation, and Ameans operable 'during a predetermined portion ofthe approaching movement of said cutters for producing al force'upon the flesh of the fruit which is yet uncuty and lies in the path of movement of said cutters' in a'direction away from the seed containing sec-` tion whereby to cause a. recessive movement upon the uncut `flesh vand thereby cause said cutters t0 make a shallower cut.-

20.l -In l a device forv treating half fruit, the

combination of means' forming a fruit holder adapted to receive a half fruit with its cut face exposed, complementary cutting means each comprising a cutting edge ofcurved outline conforming to, the marginal portion ofthe seed con'- taining section desired tov be cut, means for positioning said cutters on opposite sides of the cut face of the half fruit relative to the seed containing sectionto becut, means for moving said cutters from said position. in arcuate paths around the border lines of said seed containingv section to be cut to a position ,such that said cutting edges of said cutters meet, means operable-y during a predetermined portion of the approaching movement of said cuttersfor producing a force upon the iiesh of the fruit which is yet uncut and lies in` the pathfofmovement of said cutters, in a direction away from the seed containing sectionA whereby toA cause a recessive movement upon the uncut kiiesh of the fruit, and means .for holding said seedcontaining section against movement in said directionduring said predetermined portion of the approaching movement of said cutters. i f 21. In a device for treating half fruit, the comre'ceive a half fruitA with its cut face exposed, cutting means having a portion of a hollow conoid and havingl a lower cutting edge substan-` l v 4 tially conforming to the cross section of the seedcontaining `section of ther half fruit, means for positioning .the cutting means laterally of the seed-containing section of the half fruitgat the exposed cut face, means for moving the vcutting means l,from ysuch `position to form a" complete arcuate out around the border lines of lsaid seedcontaining section, saidy cut -extending, from the cut face on one side of said seed-containing section to the opposite side of said seed-containing versely to said path of movement of the cutting means whereby to cause saidc'utting means to make a shallower cut.

22. The method of cuttinga half fruit which` comprises forming an arcuate `cut which has its terminals at the cut face of the half fruit onv opposite sides ofthe seed-'containing section and whichl borders thecore orpit of the halfiruit,

of` the'half fruit priorto the completion'of the line of cut,whereby 'to cause receding movement upontheuncut zone of' fruit lyingtin` advance o'f the fruit flesh 'aboutito be cut,fwhereby automatical'ly to cause isaid line of: cut'to produce a more shallow cut lin the fruit about the seed- Vcontaining section. l

'23. The'f'methodotlcutting or pitting a half fruit which comprises `forming an arcuate cut .in the iesh-'of the half fruit, which cut begins at the face ofthe half fruit 'and moves arcuately around and beneath the core or pit of the fruit, and holding the core 'or pit of the fruit from downward movementwhile said lineof lcut is being formed, vwhile ysimultaneously causing the weight of the-half fruit to pull downwardly upon the unsevere'd section of the flesh of the fruit integrally'adjoining the core or pit, whereby to cause the line of cut to' more closely yfollow the core or pit of the half fruit.

24.1 In a device for'treating half `fruit,the combination of means forming a fruit holder adapted Ato receive a half fruit with its cut face exposed,

cutting meansf `comprising a cutting edge of r'curvedoutline `conforming to the marginal portion of the seed-containingsection desired to be cut, means for positioning such cutting means l to one side of the cut face of the half fruit relative to the seed-containing section and for moving said cutting meansfrom such position in an arcuate path in a direction to pass about the border of the seed-containing section to be cut,

and means operable during such movement of A the cutting means .for producing a force upon lwhile producing lrecedingstress upon the body the half fruit which liesin the path of movev ment of the cutting means in a receding directionrelative to the cutting means.

25. In a device yfor treating half fruit, the com-A bination of means forming a fruit holder adapted to receive a. halfv fruit with its cut face exposed,y

cutting means comprising a cutting edge of curved outline conforming to the marginal portion of the seed-containing section desired to be 1 cut, meansior positioning such cutting means at the cut face of they half fruit laterally of the vseed-containing section and for moving Asaid cutting meansfrom such position in an arcuate path in a directioniollowing the border of the seed-containing section to be cut, and means operable during'such movement for producing a force upon the flesh of the half `fruit which is` yet uncut and lies in the path of movement of the cutting means, in a direction relatively away from the seed-containing section, said cutting means being formed to hold the seed-containing section against movement in said direction during the time said stress is produced.

26. The methodv of cutting or pitting a half fruit which comprises forming an arcuate cut through the flesh of the fruitbeginning-at the face of the half :fruit and moving arcuately around and beneath the core or pit of the fruit,

j and moving upwardly the core or pitof the half fruit while said arcuate cut isr being formed andl `while simultaneously causing a force to be eX- erted upon the uncut flesh `of thev fruit lying ahead of the line of cut while being formed,` said force being exerted in aV direction away from the pit or core whereby to cause a recessive movevment upon the uncut flesh and thereby cause a shallower cut more closely following 'thepit or core.

27. In a device for treating half fruit, the combination of means forming a fruit holder. adapted to receive a half4 fruit with -its cut face exposed;y

cutting means comprising `a cutting edge of curved outline conformingfto-the marginal portion of the seed-containing section desired to be cut, means for positioning said cutting means to one side of the cut face of the half fruit relative to the seed-containing section to be cut, means for moving said cutting means: from such position larcuatel'y following the border line of the seed-containing section to be cut, means operable during a predetermined portion of the arcuate movement of said cutting means for producing a force upon the flesh of the fruit which is yet uncut and which lies in the path of movement of the cutting means,'in a direction away from lthe seed-containing section whereby to cause a recessive movement upon the uncut flesh of the fruit, and means fo-r holding said seed-containing section vagainst movement in said direction during said predetermined portion of the movement of the cutting means. 'p

28.y In a device for treating half fruit, the combination of means forming a fruitl holder adaptedv to receive ahalf finiti-with 'its cutface exposed,l cutting means comprising a cutting Vedge -of curved outline conforming to the marginal'portion of the seed-containing section desired to be cut, means for positioning said cutting means to one side of the cut face. of the half fruit relative to theseed-containing sectionto becut, means 'v for moving said cutting means from such posi'- tion arcuately followingthe border line ofA the seed-containing section to `be out, and means operable during a predetermined portion ofthe arcuate movement ofsaid cutting means forpro.

of the fruit, said cutting means including means' adapted partially to embrace the severed portion of the seed-containing .section forholding the same against movement in said Vdirection during said predetermined portion of the movement of the cutting means. o f 4 

